2014 Johnson County

VOLLEYBALL
2012 Johnson County

Alvarado Burleson Centennial

Cleburne Godley Grandview Joshua
Keene Rio Vista
A sneak peak into the upcoming volleyball season,
including schedules, photos and previews. V 2014
A special supplement to the Cleburne Times-Review

olleyball

Johnson County Volleyball 2014

is a publication of the
Cleburne Times-Review
Publisher
Managing Editor
Sports Editor
Contributing Photographers
Advertising
Advertising executives

Graphics/cover

Kay Helms
Dale Gosser
A.J. Crisp
David Beans
Steven Hiser
Grandview ISD
Kay Helms, Mgr.
Eric Faught
Tammy Kay
Barbara Smith
Ryan Wheat
Ashley Garey

Steven Hiser photo

Godley junior Sydnee Schofield is one of eight returning lettermen for the Lady Cats.

Volleyball 2014

817-645-2441
Fax: 817-645-4020
108 S. Anglin St.
Cleburne, Texas
P.O. Box 1569
Cleburne, TX 76033
News Editor
editor@trcle.com
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classad@trcle.com
Online
www.cleburnetimesreview.com

David Beans photo

Burleson senior Mackenzie Hailey will play more of an intergral

role in the Lady Elks attack in 2014.

Expectations rising for Lady Indians

Playoffs are the
expected goal
now in Alvarado
By Tommy Brown

aisd information officer

During her teams first

workout of the season on Monday, Alvarado Coach Jill Barkey
stopped a drill and gathered
her junior varsity and varsity
players at midcourt.
Her message was simple.
We can replace the talent we lost, Im not worried
about that, she told them.
The thing I need from each of
you is I need yall to want it as
bad as the last group. We have
plenty of talent, but you have
to show me you want to know
the little things, the strategy
part of the game.
The Lady Indians have
earned playoff berths the last
two years and last year came
away with a first-round win
over a state-ranked Gatesville
team that swept them the year
before.
With four of five teams
in District 7-4A making the
playoffs and the teams recent
playoff appearances, the Lady
Indians expectations have risen above simply reaching the
playoffs.
Playoffs should be a given,
Barkey said. We need to be
talking about winning playoff
games not about making the
playoffs.
The teams schedule is another indication of how the
Lady Indians are looking toward the playoffs. Along with
tough tournaments like Brewer, Grandview and Southwest,
Barkey added playoff regulars
Arlington Heights and Springtown to their schedule.
We have to be ready when

Tommy Brown photo

Mallory Bennett will be one of several newcomers for the varsity Lady Indians. Alvarado is aiming
for its third consecutive postseason berth after missing out the previous 10 years.

the playoffs get here because

we have a good Springtown
team and the defending state
champion (Decatur) waiting for us in our neighboring
district, Barkey
said. Those
three tournament to
start the season
are going to be good
for us because were going to be
playing some really good teams
that didnt graduate everyone
like we did.
The Lady Indians will be
counting on a lot of new faces

this season as they have only

two who are returning with
varsity experience in Waverly
Federico and Carolyn Garcia.
There are five others who

were with the team for

their playoff run and the Lady
Indians will also get a boost
from senior Cheyenne Means
who hasnt played volleyball
the last couple years.
I hate to say rebuilding be-

cause it has a negative connotation to it, but we will be young

Barkey said. Our first couple
tournaments will be a real eye
opener for the girls who havent
spent much time on varsity. I
think theyll do
great but Im
excited to see
how they react and handle
the pressure.
The Lady Indians season
begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday
when they host Fort Worth
Northside. Next weekend, they
will be playing in the Grandview Tournament.
Volleyball 2014

Lady Elks retool for another run

Burleson
faces hurdle
of replacing 2
cornerstone
athletes
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

f the Burleson Lady Elks are

to add to their run of three
consecutive district titles, they
will do so against a tougher district schedule while facing the
challenge of replacing two vital
players.
The newly formed District
8-5A dropped struggling volleyball programs in Waco High
and Waco University and added
perennial powers in Aledo and
Granbury.
Combine the new district
foes with the fact that Burleson
graduated two of the programs
most decorated athletes in Holly Milam and Alana Hughes,
and there will certainly be a
few challenges facing Coach
DAnna Newtons Lady Elks,
who returns to the sideline after
a year away from BISD. Despite
the challenges, shes confident
in another solid season.
We have high expectations,
she said. Were coming into
a new district, and everybody
says, Oh, youre in there with
Aledo and Granbury. But were
worried about the next game
ahead of us. Were not worried
about what were going to do
in district. Were worried about
coming together as a team and
building that chemistry and getting all the hard work in now to
be ready to face the Aledos and
Granburys and Joshuas. Its going to be a fight but were taking
it one step at a time.
Adding Aledo and Granbury, who finished 1-2 in Dis4

Volleyball 2014

David Beans photo

Burlesons Madison Landers will be one of several outside hitters needing to step up production after the graduation of threetime all-district and all-county MVP Holly Milam.

trict 7-4A last year, respectively,

to District 8-5A has its pros and
cons, Newton said.
The pros to it are we dont
have to face Aledo or Granbury
coming right out of district
[early in the playoffs], she said.
Theyre also going to prepare us
for whats to come in the playoffs.

But its going to be a fight for all

four [playoff] spots. The district
title could be anybodys. I like
it. That prepares us for the playoffs unlike playing those weaker
schools in district. It prepares for
whats in store in the playoffs, but
weve got to get there first before
we start worrying about who

were going to play.

Replacing Milam, a threetime all-district and all-county
MVP, and Hughes, who won
several setter of the year awards
in all-district and all-county
voting, will be key in not only
their production, but their leadership, Newton said.
Holly and Alana were a
huge part of four years of Burleson volleyball, Newton said.
Its hard to lose them both
but I feel like as they left, they
had taught the younger girls a
lot in their time here. The girls
today know that they have big
shoes to fill. The girls are excited
and those young ones that were
here with Holly and Alana are
now the leaders. Its fun to see
the girls evolve. ... But its really
hard losing both of those two.
Expected to step up and fill
the leadership void are seniors
Mackenzie Hailey, Madison
Riley and Leecia DePaula,
who were each all-district performers a year ago.
Theyre the core of the
team right now, Newton said.
Theyre going to have to step
up and take on those leadership
roles and get everyone else on
the same page like they were last
year and years before.
Several players, such as Meredith Alsburger, Madison
Landers and Christine Griffin,
are expected to fill into bigger
roles than in previous years.
Alsburgers a sophomore
setter, Newton said. Landers
will be one of our right-side big
players who I can also put at
outside hitter. And with Christine Griffin [next to Landers
and Hailey], we have good size,
but its just trying to get everybody to mesh and some players
are having to learn new positions.
Burleson opens the season at
6:30 p.m. Tuesday against Stephenville. The Lady Elks open
District 8-5A play at 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Crowley.

Centennial eyes deepest run yet

Experienced Lady
Spartans eager
to become elite
program
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

The Burleson Centennial Lady Spartans

have set a goal of going farther in the postseason than any other team in the programs
three-year history, and Coach Whitney
Woody said she believes it can be done.
Centennial returns seven lettermen and
four starters from last years team that finished in third place in District 8-4A and the
Lady Spartans will be led by a strong senior
class this year.
Of course, our [first] goal is to make
playoffs, Woody said. I know after talking with the seniors, they want to go further
than we ever have. Thats their goal. Theyre
on a path right now with their leadership on
this team to get there. Thats what they want.
Their focus is there. We aspire to make playoffs and go further than Centennial ever has.
We want to leave our mark on the volleyball
world and be a team to be reckoned with.
While the Lady Spartans are determined
to advance deeper than ever before, simply making the postseason in arguably the
toughest Class 5A volleyball district in the
state will be a chore in itself. The UIL realignment dropped Waco High and Waco
University and added yearly powerhouses in
Aledo and Granbury. Six of the eight teams
in District 8-5A made the playoffs last year.
It made what was already a tough district even tougher, Woody said. We have a
ton of respect for all the teams in our district.
What our goals are is to play the best match
we can every night and to believe in our
hearts that where theres a will, theres a way.
When my dad used to coach me, hed always
tell me theres always a way to beat someone,
you just have to find it.
Knowing how tough those teams are all
around, were just going to have to work really hard and be that team that out-hustles. I
told our girls were not going to win because
of our size or our power, were just going to
have to work harder. We have a lot of respect
for all these teams. Were excited to play

David Beans photo

Burleson Centennial senior Raygen Lee (16) enters her third year as the Lady Spartans primary setter as she also is expected to provide a leadership presence.

them. I think its going to be great volleyball

throughout district.
Senior setter Raygen Lee, senior outside
hitter Madison Montgomery and senior
middle blocker Bailey Douglas headline key
returning starts.
I expect a lot of leadership because they
are seniors for us, Woody said. Theyve
been on the team now since their sophomore
year. Raygens our setter. She ran the 5-1 the
last two years. Madis been our outside hitter
and a go-to for us last year and shell definitely be one of those kids for us last year.
Bailey Douglas was on the team last year
as a junior. She brings height. Shes a really
good disciplined blocker. Shes a hard-working kid. Shell bring heart and leadership
thats going to be valuable.

Other returners include junior setter

Hannah Batten, sophomore middle blocker
Marissa Thompson, junior outside hitter
Sam Pettijohn and junior defensive specialist Paige Schatzmann.
I could talk about all of our returners
because theyre going to play a key role,
Woody said. Paige Schatzmann was moved
up to varsity last year to towards the end of
district. We had three senior defensive players graduated last year, and we need someone
to step in defensively in that spot and Paige is
going to be one of our strong defensive players.
The Lady Spartans open the season at
6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Chisholm Trail. Centennials district opener is Sept. 12 against
Cleburne.
Volleyball 2014

A new era for Cleburne volleyball

David Beans photo

Cleburne junior Hannah King, left, and sophomore Kelsi Chavez (4) are two players new coach Holly Fish is depending on to emerge
as leaders for the Lady Jackets this season. Both King and Chavez were all-district and all-county superlative performers in 2013.

New coach, new core, new district for Lady Jackets

By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

he Cleburne Lady Jackets finished in

second place in District 8-4A last season, and matching or surpassing that feat
in the newly formed District 8-5A will certainly be a challenge.
A new district wont be the only change
for Cleburne in 2014. The Lady Jackets
have a new head coach and they will also be
faced with replacing production from three
all-district and all-county performers from
a year ago.
6

Volleyball 2014

Coach Holly Fish takes over control of

the program following Jim Woods resignation after a two-year tenure with the Lady
Jackets.
Last year, the Lady Jackets were led in
nearly every statistical category by Cheyenne Lytle, Brianna Reband and Holly
Wood. Reband and Wood graduated in the
spring and Lytle moved to Glen Rose, but
despite those three key losses, Cleburne returns six lettermen and Fish is confident the
Lady Jackets can win big this season.
The good thing about the team this
year, I feel like while we may not be the tall-

est team or biggest dogs, weve got lots of

athleticism and lots of people who can hit,
Fish said. You never know who might be
our star hitter for that night.
Returning starters include senior Erica
Bonham, sophomore Kelsi Chavez, junior
Hannah King and senior Kristen Reid.
Junior MonTee Sorrells and senior Bailey
Whitehead return from varsity action last
year as well.
King was the defensive player of the year
and Chavez the newcomer of the year in
both all-district and all-county voting.
Hannah is going to step in and be an

even bigger part of what were

doing, Fish said. Shes the last
line of defense but also in the
middle when were in trouble I
expect her to step in and help
out.
Kelsi was used as an outside
hitter and utility player last year.
Im going to need her to continue to be that utility player
but be able to step in and play
setter some. Ive got three girls
who can set.Im going to need
Kelsi to do whatever I ask her
to do. Ericas going to be one of
my other setters while Kristen
and Kelsi are out [with minor
injuries] right now. Shes really
stepping into that setter role.
Shes a pretty good all-around
player. I will be utilizing her a
lot this year.
Expected to join the returning six are five newcomers in
sophomores Akarian Morgan,
Catelin Gregory, Ashlynn McDonald and Railey Rumohr (a
Rio Vista move-in) along with
junior Kelsie Nichols.
A new challenge facing Cleburne this season will be lack of
size. With Lytle and Reband last
season, the Lady Jackets had decent size, but they will be relatively short compared to their
5A district opponents.
Weve got so many new
people coming in and playing
on the front row and were not
tall, so blocking will be a weakness early on, Fish said. And
being in the right spot on defense because a bunch of them
are so young might be tough,
too. It might take us some time,
but well get it.
But on the flip side, Fish said
a team strength will be quickness and speed.
The biggest strengths of
the team are going to be our
quickness and ability to adjust
and anticipate, she said. Our
anticipation is going to be key.
Being that were not a tall team,
obviously were not going to
have big blocks, but were not
going to let that defeat us. Were
going to make it up with our
defense.
With so much turnover from
district, coaching and personnel

David Beans photo

Cleburne senior Kristen Reid was the Lady Jackets primary setter last year. She will continue to play an integral role this year.

perspectives, the makeup of the

team might also be different
from recent seasons.
Fish said hustle
and precision
will be a
big focus
t h i s
ye a r,
but the
success of
the team will
come with how
well theyre able to
play defense.
I dont want to label us as
just a scrappy team, but were

going to be one that goes all

out for every single ball, Fish
said. Were going to
work on target
passes so that
our setter
has every
chance to
have
as
many hitter
options
as
possible so we
can throw off the
other team. I think our
key to success is going to be our
defense. Thats what its going to

have to be. Not just the block

but our people in the back. And
being able to work in situational
type things.
In District 8-5A, Waco
High and Waco University were
dropped and perennial powers
Aledo and Granbury were added. The past two years have been
a tough fight for the playoffs
and then playoff positioning
between Burleson, Centennial,
Cleburne, Crowley and Joshua.
Adding two more contenders
will make things even tougher.
Its really good competition thats going to challenge
everybody, Fish said. I think
who has the heart and who has
worked hardest to get there as
well as whos the most mentally
tough team will make it. Yes,
youve got new two teams that
are known well for their volleyball program [in Aledo and
Granbury]. You see them and
you know they can play volleyball and have some athletes.
But at the same time, youve got
Centennial, Cleburne, Burleson, Joshua and Crowley, who
may not have the same athletes,
but you cant underestimate
them. Its going to be a fight to
the end.
The Lady Jackets reached the
area round of Class 4A playoffs
before losing to Trophy Club
Byron Nelson. The goal is to
surpass that, and Cleburnes
team motto this season represents that.
Were kind of talking about
its our time, Fish said. Weve
made the playoffs and all that
good stuff, but getting rid of
that midnight run and changing a few things up here and
there and building new traditions, weve got a little thing
Now. Period. When are we
going to turn things up? Now.
Period. When are we going to
work hard? Now. Period. The
time is now, we cant wait anymore.
Cleburne opens the season
at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fort
Worth Southwest. The Lady
Jackets District 8-5A opener
is Sept. 12 at Burleson Centennial.
Volleyball 2014

Talented Lady Cats face challenge of move to 4A

Coach says
2014 has
potential to be
Godleys most
talented team
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

odley Coach Todd Weese

said this years version of
the Lady Cat volleyball team
could be one of the best teams
in his 12 years at the helm.
But this year also figures to
be a challenging one for the
Lady Cats after moving up to
Class 4A following UILs biennial realignment. Godley is in
District 7-4A with Alvarado,
Diamond Hill-Jarvis, Kennedale and Venus.
We dont really know that
much about our expectations
right now because us moving
up a class is kind of unknown
for us, Weese said. We dont
know what to expect. We know
pretty much what our district
opponents are going to be like
because weve played some of
them the past few years. Kennedale is always tough. Theyll
probably be the team to beat
in our district. Alvarado had a
good team last year. And then
its Venus and Diamond Hill.
Weese said he expects his
Lady Cats to advance to the
postseason again, but reaching
last years berth in the regional
quarterfinals will be more challenging this time around.
I hope that well be able to
make the playoffs, but once we
get out of our district, I dont
know what to expect, he said.
I know our region is tough.
Once you get in the playoffs, its
going to be a lot tougher in 4A.
Once you get through bidistrict
and area, I think things will get
a lot tougher a lot faster against
8

Volleyball 2014

Steven Hiser photo

Godley senior Jaci Smith (6) was an all-state performer and the all-district and all-county MVP last
season. Coach Todd Weese has high expectations for Smith and the rest of the Lady Cats.

bigger classes. ...

Were going to miss CourtWe have the potential to neys leadership, Weese said.
be one of the best teams weve She really provided a lot of
had since Ive been at Godley, leadership for us last year as a
but its also
senior setter.
going to
Were gobe tough
ing to miss
because of We have the potential to Kasey and
the compegood
be one of the best teams the
tition, too.
job blocking
weve had since Ive
Its going
for us in the
been at Godley...
to be intermiddle last
esting.
Coach Todd Weese year. Shes a
T h e
really good
Lady Cats
kid to have
bring back
on
your
the majority of last years re- team. Well definitely miss both
gional quarterfinalist team, mi- of them.
nus two key pieces Courtney
But the Lady Cats return a
Traylor and Kasey Richardson, roster full of talent, led by seboth all-district and all-county nior Jaci Smith, an all-state
performers.
player and the all-district and

all-county MVP last year.

We expect a lot out of her,
Weese said. Hitting, serving,
defense, leadership we expect
all of those things out of her.
Other key returners include
seniors Stacy Huckaby and
Leanna James, junior Cheyenne Barnes and sophomores
Sydnee Schofield and Makaila
Tyer. Meanwhile, two newcomers are expected to step up and
fill the vacant roles left by Traylor and Richardson sophomore setter Lindsay Lummus
and junior middle blocker Hannah Stoy.
The Lady Cats open the
season at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at
home against Dallas Life. Godleys District 7-4A opener is
Sept. 30 against Venus.

Courtesy photo

Grandview senior Shelby Estep will be one of four returning seniors that Coach Jesilyn Hatch will rely on heavily in 2014.

Lady Zebras to encounter several changes this season

By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

or the fourth time in the previous four

seasons, the Grandview Lady Zebras have
a new head coach. This time, however, there
is familiarity with the new head coach.
Jesilyn Hatch, who was an assistant last
season, takes over following Christy Tates
departure. Despite the turnover at the head
coaching position, the Lady Zebras have
maintained a level of success, reaching the
playoffs six seasons in a row.
Im the fourth head coach for the seniors, Hatch said. But Im not completely
new to them. Its not a completely new system. We kind of co-coached the team last
year because I have [seven years] of previous
head coaching experience. Coach Tate and I
agreed on a lot of stuff. So technically Im
still teaching the same thing. Im not asking
them to learn something completely different. I think they are adjusting to me better
than other new head coaches because I was
already here.

This season, the Lady Zebras are in a

new and tougher district, which includes
Brock, Glen Rose and Peaster, among others, but that isnt the only challenge awaiting
the team. Several of Grandviews key players
from a year ago Jade Rochelle, Kennedy
Jentsch and Emily Sullivan have decided
to give up volleyball to focus on basketball.
Thats their passion and love so they decided that was best for them, Hatch said. I
understand that. They get to their junior and
senior year and pick areas they want to focus
on. Certainly its a loss for the team, but well
fill in and Do what it takes as thats kind
of our motto this year.
Key returning players, of which there are
seven, include seniors Shelby Estep, Jordan
Nash, Abby Reynolds and Kolbi Ruddock.
They have quite a bit of experience,
Hatch said. Kolbi, Abby and Jordan were
all front-row players and attackers for us last
year. Theyre a big part of our offense. Shelby
was our libero last year and she might be
transitioning into a new role. We also have
three other seniors who played front or back

row only last year who are going to step into

bigger roles.
Hatch said the Lady Zebras aim is a playoff berth, and in a competitive District 113A, that will be a challenge.
I feel like we are a playoff caliber team
and are capable of doing that in this district,
Hatch said. Any time you put a team like
Brock or Glen Rose in your district, its going
to be a hard road. Its going to be tough but
we definitely have a shot on any given night
to compete with those teams and play well.
My expectations are for us to finish in
that top 4 and make the playoffs. I cant guarantee a district title right off the bat because
it is a new district and we dont know those
teams as well as last year. Our goal really is
the playoffs. If we learned anything from last
year, we were co-district champions in volleyball and lost the first round, but in softball
we finished third or fourth and went deep in
the playoffs. Its what you do in November
and those games and matches.
Grandview opens the season at 6 p.m.
Tuesday at Lorena.
Volleyball 2014

Joshua aiming for third playoff berth in a row

Lady Owls not content
with just making
postseason anymore
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

After previously not making the playoffs for 31 years, the Joshua Lady Owls
have now made back-to-back postseason
appearances the past two seasons. Making
it three in a row and then advancing is the
goal for Coach Jennifer Henderson.
The Lady Owls finished in fourth place
in District 8-4A last season and lost to
Aledo in the bidistrict round. Now, Aledo is a district foe along with Granbury,
while Waco High and Waco University
were dropped from District 8-5A after the
UILs biennial realignment.
Our district is a very tough district,
Henderson said. Im excited for the challenges that it brings. Aledo knocked us
out of the playoffs last year and Granbury
went deep into the playoffs making the regional tournament and Burleson won our
district last year.
Six out of the eight teams in our new
district made the playoffs last year. We
definitely have our work cut out for us,
but I have all the confidence in the world
in our girls. I believe they know exactly
what they are up against and are prepared
to take on the challenge.
The Lady Owls will look to the strength
of eight returning starters and seven seniors in their quest to make it three playoff
appearances in a row.
I expect our seven seniors to step up
into their leadership roles as seniors,
Henderson said. I expect them to hold
each other accountable and to work hard
every time they step on the court.
Of those seniors expected to lead the
way are setter Kailey Hicks, libero Bailey
Kennedy, outside hitter and setter Ashley
Brakel, middle blocker Calie Payne and
defensive specialist Kenzie Cochran.
Brakel and Payne combine for a solid
attacking duo after Brakel recorded 307
kills and Payne had 262 kills along with
88 blocks last season. Hicks led the Lady
Owls with 581 assists and Brakel added
518 a year ago.
Joining the seniors to fill out the Lady
10

Volleyball 2014

David Beans photo

Joshuas Kailey Hicks (5) and Calie Payne (10) have been key parts to the Lady Owls
back-to-back playoff berths. Now, as seniors they will shoulder more of the load.

Owls varsity roster are Ariel Emory, Sierra Cawley, Taylor Fielder and Kaylen
Evans.
While Joshua is aiming for its third
playoff berth, just getting to the postseason isnt good enough anymore.
Our goal every year is, of course, to
make it to state, said Henderson, who
enters her second year as the head coach.
Our them this year is Paving our way

to state. We know its going to be a long

road ahead, so we will just take it match
by match. I expect the girls to work hard,
stay mentally focused, hold each other accountable and especially have fun competing in a game they love.
The Lady Owls begin the season at 11
a.m. at a dual against Azle and Decatur in
Decatur. Joshuas district opener is Sept.
12 at Everman.

Experienced Keene squad looks to be more competitive

Lady Chargers to
face tough task in
new district
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

n a seemingly yearly basis, the Keene Lady Chargers face the same challenges
on the volleyball court lack
of size. And that challenge will
again be a hurdle the Lady
Chargers will have to clear
this season while also facing a
tougher district schedule.
The Lady Chargers, led
by Coach Michelle SmileyConnelly in her 11th year
at Keene, are now in District
11-3A with Brock, Glen Rose,
Grandview, Hillsboro, Millsap, Peaster and Rio Vista.
Its tough, Smiley-Connelly said. And it got a lot
tougher [compared to the previous district]. Some teams we
might have had a chance to
beat in our old district moved
out and some teams that were
going to have a hard time with
moved in. The new district is
definitely tough.
Despite the challenges of
facing perennial playoff contenders such as Brock, Glen
Rose, Grandview and Peaster,
the Lady Chargers do have one
advantage in their favor compared to recent years.
One thing we do have this
year is experience, SmileyConnelly said. I have more
returning key players than Ive
had in the past.
Several of those returning
players expected to be primary
contributors include seniors
Zayda Gonzalez and Peyton Stephens, junior Eboni
Smith and sophomore Mallory Stephens.
Gonzalez, an all-district
and all-county performer, has
been the Lady Chargers top

A.J. Crisp photo

The Keene Lady Chargers are led by, from left, Zayda Gonzalez, Mallory Stephens, Peyton Stephens and Eboni Smith.

option the past two seasons.

have size as a strength of their
I expect her to provide team, that is where Keene
leadership and consistency, comes up short. Most notaSmileybly, the
Connelly
Tigers will
s a i d .
be led by
One thing we do have
Shes a
Cleburne
this year is experience. I
consistent
move-in
have more returning key
server and
Cheyenne
consistent
Lytle,
players than Ive had in
passer.
who, at
the past.
The
6-3, was
Coach Michelle a superlaStephens
sisters
Smiley-Connelly tive award
b r i n g
winner for
some hitthe Lady
ting power, court sense and Jackets as a sophomore and a
hustle. They make us strong. first-team performer the last
And Smith, at middle blocker, two years.
was young last year. Hopefully
Because of the height adthis year, being a year older, vantage Smith at 5-10 is
shell provide a bigger impact. the Lady Chargers tallest playWhile several district foes er by far Keene will look to
such as Brock and Glen Rose keep its strong digging game

in tact.
Were definitely at a
height disadvantage, SmileyConnelly said. Last year, we
won three district games, so I
would like to see us win four
or five and just do the best we
can with our height disadvantage.
We have to be able to dig
because were not going to
get as many blocks as other
schools. So thats key is getting
digs consistently. We have to
be good passers. We have to
be able to pass everything accurately and consistently. And
we have to be solid in serve
receive.
The Lady Chargers open
the season at 2 p.m. Tuesday
at home against Boyd. Keenes
district opener is Sept. 12 at
Hillsboro.
Volleyball 2014

11

balancing youthfulness with inexperience key for rio vista

Lady Eagles hope
to take next step in
rebuilding process
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com

outhfulness can be both a positive quality in some forms, but also a negative
quality. For the Rio Vista Lady Eagles, finding the balance between youthfulness and
inexperience will be key for their success in
2014.
Coach Rachell Pope returns five lettermen and three starters from last years team
that went winless in district play. This season, the Lady Eagles are quite young and inexperienced as Rio Vista is comprised of five
sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.
The returners include sophomores Gabbie Nunn, Kailey Reese and Grace Underwood and seniors Jessica de los Santos and
Keleigh Salazar. Newcomers expected to
see playing time are sophomores Hannah
Bridges and Jacie Matthews and juniors
Makayla Mason and Hailey Webb.
The youth and inexperience may be good
for the future of the program as the younger
players garner valuable experience at the varsity level, but that inexperience is always a
struggle in the present.
That is going to be our struggle is were
so young so were just inexperienced, Pope
said. Theyre going to have to stick together
and work through the growing pains. I think
we can do it. If we have some success in the
preseason and get a little bit of confidence
going into district, I think we will be better.
Despite the inexperience and likely growing pains, Pope said she still expects her team
to compete for a playoff spot in a new and
competitive District 11-3A with powers
such as Brock, Glen Rose, Grandview and
Peaster, among others.
I do have high expectations of them,
Pope said. I dont care how young they are,
I expect them to perform, bottom line. I
want them to believe in themselves. Thats
the same thing we struggled with last year.
Its just taking some time. But theyre working hard.
Going winless in district play last season
12

Volleyball 2014

Cierra Johnson photo

Rio Vista sophomore Kailey Reese gained valuable experience as a freshman last year
and will be one of the top threats for the Lady Eagles moving forward.

was certainly a challenge, but Pope said the

Lady Eagles arent letting last years memories stick around and they expect to be in a
position to clinch a playoff berth.
We would like to be one of the top
teams, but realistically well play for the
fourth spot, she said. There are a few teams
I know for certain we can compete with. I
definitely want to give a good run for Brocks
money and Peasters money. Theyre tough.
Were going to be scrappy, work hard and
have some heart.
Being put in a new district with teams
such as Glen Rose and Hillsboro that were
previously at the 3A level before the UILs

classification changes will be challenging because of the lack of size Rio Vista has. Because of the height disadvantage, Pope said
the Lady Eagles will need to excel in other
areas of the game, such as defensive quickness and being accurate with serve receive
and passing.
Were going to have to be a quick team,
Pope said. We dont have a whole lot of
height. Were going to have to be a better passing team. We need that to be our
strength.
The Lady Eagles open the season at 5 p.m.
Tuesday at Castleberry. Rio Vistas District
11-3A opener is Sept. 12 against Grandview.

Alvarado schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
Northside
Aug. 14, 16
Grandview Tournament
Aug. 15
Poly Tech
Aug. 19
at Rio Vista
Aug. 22-23
Brewer Tournament
Aug. 26
Everman
Aug. 28, 30
Southwest Tournament
Aug. 29
Ferris
Sept. 2
at Trimble Tech
Sept. 5
at Arlington Heights
Sept. 9
at Blum
Sept. 12
Springtown
Sept. 16
Castleberry
Sept. 19
at Diamond Hill-Jarvis
Sept. 26
at Kennedale*
Sept. 30
Diamond Hill-Jarvis*
Oct. 3
Godley*
Oct. 7
at Venus*
Oct. 14
Kennedale*
Oct. 17
at Diamond Hill-Jarvis*
Oct. 21
at Godley*
Oct. 24
Venus*
Oct. 28
at Lake Worth
* District 7-4A match

TIME
11 a.m.
TBA
11 a.m.
2 p.m.
TBA
6 p.m.
TBA
4:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
5 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.

Cleburne schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
at Southwest
Aug. 15-16
Wimberly Tournament
Aug. 19
Arlington Heights
Aug. 21-23
Glen Rose Tournament
Aug. 26
Weatherford
Aug. 28, 30
Groesbeck Tournament
Sept. 2
Azle
Sept. 5
at Glen Rose
Sept. 9
Chisholm Trail
Sept. 12
at Centennial*
Sept. 16
Granbury*
Sept. 19
Aledo*
Sept. 23
Everman*
Sept. 26
at Crowley*
Sept. 30
at Joshua*
Oct. 3
Burleson*
Oct. 7
Centennial*
Oct. 10
at Granbury*
Oct. 14
at Aledo*
Oct. 17
at Everman*
Oct. 21
Crowley*
Oct. 24
Joshua*
Oct. 28
at Burleson*
* District 8-5A match

TIME
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.

Joshua schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
at Decatur
Aug. 15-16
Grapevine Tournament
Aug. 19
at Glen Rose
Aug. 21-23
Glen Rose Tournament
Aug. 26
Godley
Aug. 28, 30
Argyle Tournament
Sept. 2
TBD
Sept. 5
Birdville
Sept. 12
at Everman*
Sept. 16
Burleson*
Sept. 19
Centennial*
Sept. 23
at Granbury*
Sept. 26
at Aledo*
Sept. 30
Cleburne*
Oct. 3
Crowley*
Oct. 7
Everman*
Oct. 10
at Burleson*
Oct. 14
at Centennial*
Oct. 17
Granbury*
Oct. 21
Aledo*
Oct. 24
at Cleburne*
Oct. 28
at Crowley*
* District 8-5A match

TIME
11 a.m.
TBA
4:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
TBA.
5:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.

Burleson schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
Stephenville
Aug. 15-16
Abilene Tournament
Aug. 19
at Haltom
Aug. 21-23
Northwest Tournament
Aug. 26
South Grand Prairie
Aug. 28, 30
Argyle Tournament
Sept. 2
Coppell
Sept. 5
Harker Heights
Sept. 9
at Argyle
Sept. 12
at Crowley*
Sept. 16
at Joshua*
Sept. 19
Everman*
Sept. 23
Centennial*
Sept. 26
Granbury*
Sept. 30
at Aledo*
Oct. 3
at Cleburne*
Oct. 7
Crowley*
Oct. 10
Joshua*
Oct. 14
at Everman*
Oct. 17
at Centennial*
Oct. 21
at Granbury*
Oct. 24
Aledo*
Oct. 28
Cleburne*
* District 8-5A match

TIME
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.

Godley schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
Dallas Life
Aug. 14-16
Grandview Tournament
Aug. 19
at Dublin
Aug. 21-23
Gainseville Tournament
Aug. 26
at Joshua
Aug. 28, 30
Groesbeck Tournament
Sept. 2
at Peaster
Sept. 5
Maypearl
Sept. 9
Glen Rose
Sept. 12
at Graham
Sept. 16
Mineral Wells
Sept. 19
Dublin
Sept. 23
Castleberry
Sept. 26
at Bridgeport
Sept. 30
Venus*
Oct. 3
at Alvarado*
Oct. 7
Kennedale*
Oct. 10
at Diamond Hill-Jarvis*
Oct. 17
at Venus*
Oct. 21
Alvarado*
Oct. 24
at Kennedale*
Oct. 28
Diamond Hill-Jarvis*
* District 7-4A match

TIME
5:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
5 p.m.
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.

Keene schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
Boyd
Aug. 14-16
Venus Tournament
Aug. 21-23
Keene Tournament
Aug. 26
NCA at Crowley
Aug. 29
Venus
Sept. 2
NCA
Sept. 12
at Hillsboro*
Sept. 16
at Rio Vista*
Sept. 19
at Grandview*
Sept. 23
Glen Rose*
Sept. 26
at Brock*
Sept. 30
Millsap*
Oct. 3
Peaster*
Oct. 7
Hillsboro*
Oct. 10
Rio Vista*
Oct. 14
Grandview*
Oct. 17
at Glen Rose*
Oct. 21
Brock*
Oct. 24
at Millsap*
Oct. 28
at Peaster*
* District 11-3A match

TIME
2 p.m.
TBA
TBA
6 p.m.
4:30
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.

Centennial schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
at Chisholm Trail
Aug. 14-16
Saginaw Tournament
Aug. 19
Denton Guyer
Aug. 22-23
Granbury Tournament
Aug. 26
at Keller Central
Aug. 29-30
Arlington Tournament
Sept. 2
Brewer
Sept. 5
Keller
Sept. 9
at Paschal
Sept. 12
Cleburne*
Sept. 16
Crowley*
Sept. 19
at Joshua*
Sept. 23
at Burleson*
Sept. 26
at Everman*
Sept. 30
Granbury*
Oct. 3
Aledo*
Oct. 7
at Cleburne*
Oct. 10
at Crowley*
Oct. 14
Joshua*
Oct. 17
Burleson*
Oct. 21
Everman*
Oct. 24
at Granbury*
Oct. 28
at Aledo*
* District 8-5A match

TIME
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
TBA
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.

Grandview schedule
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
at Lorena
Aug. 14-16
Grandview Tournament
Aug. 22
Maypearl
Aug. 26
at Springtown
Aug. 28, 30
Argyle Tournament
Sept. 2
Kennedale
Sept. 5
at China Spring
Sept. 9
at Azle
Sept. 12
at Rio Vista*
Sept. 16
Brock*
Sept. 19
Keene*
Sept. 23
at Peaster*
Sept. 26
Millsap*
Sept. 30
Glen Rose*
Oct. 3
Hillsboro*
Oct. 7
Rio Vista*
Oct. 10
at Brock*
Oct. 14
at Keene*
Oct. 17
Peaster*
Oct. 21
at Millsap*
Oct. 24
at Glen Rose*
Oct. 28
at Hillsboro*
* District 11-3A match

TIME
6 p.m.
TBA
4:30
6 p.m.
TBA
6 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.

Rio Vista schedule

DATE
OPPONENT
TIME
Aug. 12
at Castleberry
5 p.m.
Aug. 15
at Blooming Grove
4:30 p.m.
Aug. 19
Alvarado
5:30
Aug. 21, 23
South Hills Tournament
TBA
Aug. 22
at Springtown
6 p.m.
Aug. 26
at Blum
6 p.m.
Aug. 28, 30
Robinson Tournament
TBA
Sept. 2
Hillsboro
6:30 p.m.
Sept. 9
at Maypearl
6:30 p.m.
Sept. 12
Grandview*
4 p.m.
Sept. 16
Keene*
5:30 p.m.
Sept. 19
Brock*
4 p.m.
Sept. 23
Hillsboro*
5:30 p.m.
Sept. 26
at Glen Rose*
4 p.m.
Sept. 30
at Peaster*
5:30 p.m.
Oct. 3
at Millsap*
4 p.m.
Oct. 7
at Grandview*
5:30 p.m.
Oct. 10
at Keene*
4 p.m.
Oct. 14
at Brock*
5:30 p.m.
Oct. 17
at Hillsboro*
4 p.m.
Oct. 21
Glen Rose*
5:30 p.m.
Oct. 24
Peaster*
4 p.m.
Oct. 28
Millsap*
5:30 p.m.
V
olleyball 2014
13
* District 11-3A match

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